Dipper

[Larryo]

Hi, I am wondering about the difference between the Dipper Clare anf Cotswold- apart from the size.I see that there was a similar question a long time back to which Chris Timson replied and I wonder has anyone any further insights, since then,that they might like to share.The Clare is popular among Irish trad players but wonder why.Although I understand that the Clare is smaller at 5 and 5/8 and the Cotswold is according to the review here, 6 and 1/4 whereas other concertinas would seem to be 6.14( is there a difference between .14 and 1/4 of an inch?. I know that there is only fractions between instruments but is there an issue with fingers landing accurately on the buttons moving between sizes? Thank you in advance

[Chris Timson]

The clue is in the name of the instruments: one is optimised for Irish music, one for English. To that end the smaller size of the Clare means it masses less, which is appreciated by Irish players. Far less important to English players. The only concertina where I ever had real problems with the buttons was a 45 key Jeffries where they were very close to each other, but that was not long after I'd had a stroke which definitely also had a bearing on the matter. I have more problem when moving between concertinas where the rows as a whole stand in different relations to the strap. It can take time to adjust.

 

Chris

[Rod]

The clue is in the name of the instruments: one is optimised for Irish music, one for English. To that end the smaller size of the Clare means it masses less, which is appreciated by Irish players. Far less important to English players. The only concertina where I ever had real problems with the buttons was a 45 key Jeffries where they were very close to each other, but that was not long after I'd had a stroke which definitely also had a bearing on the matter. I have more problem when moving between concertinas where the rows as a whole stand in different relations to the strap. It can take time to adjust.

 

Chris

 

The smaller instrument might favour young children with smaller hands...or is the button spacing no closer ?

[Larryo]

I have what used to be called "piano fingers"- long but narrow.My hands are not big in the bulky sense so I was wondering perhaps if the Cotswold would be better suited for the longer type fingers as in having more room albeit just a slight amount???

[Chris Timson]

I have what used to be called "piano fingers"- long but narrow.My hands are not big in the bulky sense so I was wondering perhaps if the Cotswold would be better suited for the longer type fingers as in having more room albeit just a slight amount???

I would suggest you tell Colin about your hands and he will advise you on what would be best for you and subsequently (when your ticket comes up in life's most wonderful lottery) build it for you.

 

Chris

[Larryo]

Thanks Chris

[david_boveri]

i have known people who sent outlines of their hands to colin and he based the concertina around that. i know someone who actually got a cotswald that was almost as small as a county clare.